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A review by niallgoulding1
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Meh. OK as a holiday read. Ticks all the standard boxes with an interesting setting and a new red herring every chapter. Rattles along at a quick pace.
But in my opinion, while murder mysteries always require some suspension of disbelief, this one was too aggressively dumb not to earn an eyeroll. The killer's ending doesn't make any sense if you spent even 30 seconds researching how the justice system works. The mentally ill = villain trope felt icky and a relic from the past. Also, the writer keeps the identity of the victim a secret until the very end of the novel - I kept expecting that there was a reason for this but the victim was the most obvious, clichéd option so I don't see the point. The answer to the mystery didn't feel earned and wasn't clever.
Not sure I'd recommend.
But in my opinion, while murder mysteries always require some suspension of disbelief, this one was too aggressively dumb not to earn an eyeroll. The killer's ending doesn't make any sense if you spent even 30 seconds researching how the justice system works. The mentally ill = villain trope felt icky and a relic from the past. Also, the writer keeps the identity of the victim a secret until the very end of the novel - I kept expecting that there was a reason for this but the victim was the most obvious, clichéd option so I don't see the point. The answer to the mystery didn't feel earned and wasn't clever.
Not sure I'd recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship